Chapter 16: Sero Confessio
After Hermione had finished a storm of crying, Madam Pomfrey gave her a sleeping draught which sent her to sleep. The poor child thought the older witch so young and so brave. Most would not have wanted to keep the child. I've seen that often enough at Hogwarts in the past. May the spirits help her be strong. And the father…well, well, who would have thought it!
It was not the first time that a young witch had turned up in the Hospital Wing in Hermione's condition. However, it was a rare witch who wanted to keep her baby. Usually the problem could be solved after a potion and couple of days rest in the Hospital Wing. Of course, the students involved would be given a stern talking-to by Dumbledore and their parents informed.
When she had first told her the news, Miss Granger had not believed her. Miss Granger insisted that she had been very, very careful, taking all the right potions. Then, in mid-sentence, the poor girl had stopped and her face turned chalk-white. Ah, that was always it – Madam Pomfrey knew- these poor girls were all very, very careful except on one occasion. Unfortunately, once was one time too often.
"What am I going to do!" wept Hermione as she clutched at Madam Pomfrey. Tears pouring down her face and choking her.
"There, there my love. There's things that can be done, you know."
"What? What things?"
"Well, you're not the first young thing who's come in here in such a state. You don't think we can't remedy the situation for you, do we? There's potions that we have here for that sort of thing."
Hermione raised large, golden, tear-filled eyes to the nurse. In them was a look of horror. "Madam Pomfrey, you don't mean you abort the babies do you?" she asked.
"Why yes dearie. It's simple enough and quite safe."
Hermione shook her head, and her jaw tightened. "Never. Never. I am going to keep my baby. This child was made out of love, Madam Pomfrey."
"That's what they all say at first Miss Granger, till the enormous burden sets in on them."
Hermione grasped the nurse's shoulders. "NO! You don't understand. I mean what I say. I am going to keep this innocent child no matter how hard it is for me. It is part of me. Of us."
Madam Pomfrey looked with admiration at the tough young woman before her. Could it be just five years ago she was that slip of a girl who was brought in petrified by a basilisk? The father must be Mr Potter or Mr Weasley. Well, at least both were responsible young men who would look after Miss Granger.
"Miss Granger, if that is truly your wish, I admire you." She said, hugging Hermione. "And I will help you through this for the next seven months because it won't be easy."
"I'm two months pregnant?" asked Hermione quietly.
"Yes," said Madam Pomfrey patting her hand, "your baby will be due in August….but I think you already knew that when you thought about it."
Hermione nodded. She knew the exact day of conception. Oh Draco she thought and touched the diamond dragon at her neck out of habit. She felt it give a little wriggle as if to comfort her and she smiled.
"Miss Granger, dear child," said Madam Pomfrey quietly.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey?"
"You must get some rest, I'll give you a sleeping draught."
"Yes, thank you…oh, Madam Pomfrey," said Hermione, turning pale. "Could you bring Draco Malfoy here as soon as possible?"
Madam Pomfrey looked startled. "Mr Malfoy? What on earth do you want with Mr Malfoy?"
"He is my baby's father."
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Against her best instincts, Madame Pomfrey felt duty-bound to tell Dumbledore immediately the events that had transpired. She had been instructed of the procedure to follow each time a case such as the present one arose. So that was how she found herself in the headmaster's study, fanning herself with her handkerchief- she had run all the way there.
The headmaster had reacted surprisingly calmly to the news. But then again, nothing ever seemed to unsettle that man, she thought.
"And you say Miss Granger wants to keep the baby, Poppy?"
"Yes. The dear girl was absolutely set upon it even though I told her what could be done."
"Ah. Well, it isn't often we get responsible young women like her at Hogwarts. That is very admirable indeed of Miss Granger."
"Indeed it is, sir. And may I just add Albus, that Hermione Granger is one of the most sensible, brave, intelligent young witches it has ever been my pleasure to nurse through my years here."
"Your esteem of Miss Granger is well placed Poppy. The child will need a lot of those qualities you spoke of if she is to bear a child at such a young age."
"Quite so, Albus. The poor thing. You can count on me to make sure she gets the best treatment, Albus. Pre-partum was one of my specialities when I studied Mediwizardry."
"I suggest you bring Mr Malfoy to her now. "
"Of course. Oh my goodness… who would have thought it! Mr Malfoy, the father! Fancy that. Those two never got along, I sometimes wonder at what goes on behind our backs in this blessed castle."
Dumbledore chuckled as he showed her out of his study, "As do I, Poppy. As do I. Oh, and would you mind asking Professors Snape and McGonagall to my office? They need to be informed as head of Mr Malfoy and Miss Granger's houses."
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To his outrage, Harry was refused entry into the Hospital Wing to visit Hermione.
"But Madam Pomfrey, I don't see why you let Malfoy in there and not me! I'm her best friend!" he nearly shouted.
"Control yourself, Mr Potter. You are right next on the list. It just happened that Mr Malfoy got here first."
Harry gave it up. He slumped on a chair outside the hospital wing and impatiently began to pick at the bag of chocolate frogs that he had brought for his friend.
Inside the Hospital Wing, Hermione faced Draco Malfoy, a cold lump of ice suddenly sitting firmly inside her chest. She hardly dared tell him. Suddenly, she couldn't help but see him again as she had for six years of her life – a haughty, aloof Slytherin, Mudblood hater and untrustworthy snake. When he smiled at her she could see the shadow of his infamous Malfoy sneer. His gray eyes had turned from cool to cold.
"Thank goodness you're all right, 'Mione" said Draco, completely unaware of what was going on inside her head. He sat by her on her bed, holding her hand in his. "You really mustn't fly with that Potter again. Fly with me if anyone at all." He whispered lovingly. He felt her hands turn icy.
"'Mione? You okay? Your hands are colder than ice."
She nodded, quickly taking her hand out of his.
Draco looked a bit hurt. "Okay then" he said slightly tensely, pulling back. "What's this all about?"
"Draco, please don't make it harder than it is."
"Than what is? Hermione, you're not making sense. Tell me."
She took a deep breath. "Draco darling," he felt himself soften towards her "Draco… I really really love you. I don't think I could live without you. Thinking of you hurt or being away from me makes me feel like my heart has been torn in two."
Draco laughed. "So is this what it's all about? Well, if that was the big secret then it wasn't so hard to say was it?"
"Draco, there's more…"
"Mmhmm?"
"First, do you love me?"
Draco folded her in his arms, now more muscled than ever from his Auror training. He kissed the top of her head. Strawberries and cream, he thought.
"You know I do."
"I need to hear you say it."
"I love you, Hermione Granger."
"Good, because…" she paused for courage. What if he shouts at me? What if he blames me? She thought. It is too much responsibility. We are too young. I shall die if he asks me to get rid of our child. I won't do it. Then I will lose him…forever.
"Because what?" he said.
"Because I'm pregnant." She said quietly.
She felt his arms tense around her shoulders. This is the worst moment of my life she thought.
"Are you sure?" he said, in a tight sort of voice.
"Absolutely."
"How long?"
"Two months."
His arms suddenly held her tighter. "Christmas" he whispered in wonder.
"How did you know?"
"I just….knew. Oh Hermione!" he cried, pulling her into a tight embrace.
She felt relief wash over her. He hadn't shouted at her or run away.
"Draco…" she said, burying her head in his shoulder.
They both felt the little diamond dragon move at the sound of his name. It seemed to spark something in him.
"Oh wow. Oh man. Oh wow. Oh man – 'Mione. I can't believe we're going to be parents by the end of the year!"
"Oh Draco, you mean you're okay with me keeping it?"
Draco pushed her back and looked angrily into her eyes. "Don't even think about not keeping that baby! That child is our son!"
Hermione's mouth opened in shock. "H-How did you know it was a boy? Did Madam Pomfrey tell you?"
Draco looked sheepish. "I don't. I just hoped it was a boy. I always wanted a son to look after the way Lucius never looked after me. Sorry. I'll be really happy if it's a girl too, Hermione."
"Well," Hermione said, rubbing her nose on his cheek, "You are one lucky daddy because it is a boy. Madam Pomfrey and I had some fun finding out just now."
Draco looked absolutely delighted. He suddenly put his head down onto Hermione's tummy and kissed it. "Hey you, hurry up there, only seven more months!"
"Stop it, it tickles!" said Hermione, clutching at his blonde hair.
Listening through the curtains, Madam Pomfrey couldn't help but wipe tears from her eyes. She had misjudged that young Mr Malfoy. That boy had grown up into a fine young man. She coughed dramatically and heard the giggling stop.
She drew back the curtains to witness a very red-faced Hermione and Draco sitting next to each other on the bed and holding hands.
"Madam Pomfrey," Draco got to his feet. "I- I'd just like to thank you so much for making sure Hermione was okay."
"It's my job, Mr Malfoy. Soon, that job will go to you!" Draco reddened with pleasure. "You'd better look after this young witch here, because if anything happens to her, I will make you drink all the medicines in my cabinet without a sweet charm on them."
"I will, Madam Pomfrey."
"Now, let's not go rushing into things. One step at a time, I always say. Miss Granger here needs plenty of rest and good food and nothing to worry her. That's the oldest and best magic there is for women in her situation. Oh, and there's a friend to see you Miss Granger. I had quite a time trying to stop him from breaking and entering when you two lovebirds were talking things over."
"Who, Madam Pomfrey"
"The young man whose broom you fell off…Mr Potter has been sitting outside getting his knickers in a twist for the last half an hour."
Hermione and Draco looked at each other for a moment.
"Call him in Madam Pomfrey" asked Draco, draping himself over the pillows at the head of Hermione's bed. To Hermione he whispered wickedly, "I would like to see Potter's face when he sees me in your bed."
While waiting for him, Hermione turned to Draco and said, "Draco, I think we need to tell Harry everything. I was going to tell him this morning but I fell off his broomstick. It's been on my mind for ages. I can't go on living half a life like this. Harry is one of my dearest friends."
Draco nodded. "Everything, Hermione?" he said, gently touching her stomach through the sheets.
"Everything." She put her hand over his, sounding determined. "I know you hate him and all but I've made up my mind. The situation is ridiculous as it is. Can't you two just get along?"
Draco sighed elaborately and patted her tummy. "Oh well, anything you say mummy. I'll try, as I said, you're starting to make a very nice Slytherin out of me. I can just about tolerate Mr Harry-I-Killed-A-Basilisk-Potter now"
Hermione looked carefully at him. "Are you sure?"
Draco nodded. "It's time to tell him, Hermione."
"Hello? Hermione?" a familiar black haired head popped round the curtains and Harry Potter entered the cubicle.
Even before he saw Hermione he saw Draco Malfoy, draped in a possessive manner over the head of her bed.
"Hermione, what's Malfoy doing here? And…and in that position?" he aked, shocked.
"Oh Harry…"
"Thanks for making my girlfriend fall off a broom today, Potter."
"It was an accident, Malfoy! I was flying well within the…wait a minute, girlfriend?" Harry choked, turned momentarily purple, then turning to normal colour again. "Oho! So that's why! I had my suspicions you know. I knew there had to be some reason why."
"I wanted to tell you sooner, Harry" said Hermione looking worried. "But it was so hard to find the right moment. I came out to the Quidditch pitch to tell you this morning but then we had that accident."
"Yes, when you made that attempt on her life."
"It was an accident Malfoy."
"Sure." drawled Malfoy, stroking the top of Hermione's head.
"Do you mind?" said Harry blushing, "I can't really process all this right now and you two are seriously grossing me out."
"How about now?" said Draco, kissing Hermione's ear.
Harry closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, Hermione and Malfoy. Malfoy and Hermione. He thought to himself. Aaaugh! He heard a slap and Malfoy go "Ow".
"Draco, stop teasing him. Harry, ignore this stupid Slytherin. Boys can't you two just get along?" Hermione looked desperate. She watched as the two boys faced each other coolly.
Then to her great surprise, she heard them both burst into laughter.
"What's so funny?" she asked, annoyed at being left out of the joke.
"You are, 'Mione" said Draco, gulping for air.
Harry stood chuckling.
"What's going on?" asked Hermione. "If you two don't stop being so frustrating I am going to get really angry!"
"Actually, 'Mione" said Harry, sitting down in a chair at the foot of her bed, "Malfoy and I have been pretty good friends for about a month now."
"Yeah, Potter's not that bad after all. Especially when I get a chance to kill him every day."
"Sure Malfoy, you're not even close to that good yet."
Hermione looked wide eyed. "But how? But when?" Then it came to her. "Oh! Of course, Auror training! Draco, you might have told me! It's not like I didn't guess Harry was one of them."
"Classified information, you know" drawled Malfoy. "And by the way, talking about Classified Information-…"
Hermione turned red.
"What?" said Harry, curiously.
"…we're going to be parents." finished Draco.
"WHAT!" Harry leapt about three off the chair. "YOU!...and Her! You and Her….mione!" This time, Harry really did turn purple and stayed that way.
"Harry. Calm down." Said Hermione.
"No I will not calm down!" panted Harry as he ran his fingers madly through his already madly tousled hair. "Wh-When-how-wh – wh- why?"
"Breathe, Potter."
"Harry- ."
Harry couldn't believe his ears! Not only had Hermione been having a secret love affair with Malfoy right under his very nose…she was pregnant with his child. That meant they had to have…had to have had… "That means you two…you and her, her and you….have been having…that you did…"
Hermione turned crimson. "Really Harry. It's not like you and Ginny are all innocent kisses either."
"Yeah but that's different!"
"How so?"
"Well, I've liked her for ages. She's always been one of my best friends. Malfoy…well…it's MALFOY. Hermione. Remember? You- him- hating each other for six years?"
"Yes well you like him now too."
"Well, I tolerate him, okay, maybe I like him…but I don't go around having his babies."
"You wish, Potter." smirked Draco.
"That's enough!" said Hermione, sounding very fierce suddenly. "Harry, Draco and I are together and we are having a baby. That's all there is to it! And you are all going to try your best to get along because if not… if not…"
The two boys waited expectantly. Harry a bit ashamed at having reacted so badly to the news. Draco worried he hadn't tried to be nicer to Potter.
"…if not I am going to CRY!" bawled Hermione as she burst into tears.
"Oh dear! Oh my!" said Madam Pomfrey pulling back the curtains. "Now what have you two gentlemen been doing to upset this young lady here so much?"
Both Draco and Harry looked ashamed.
"Mr Malfoy, Mr Potter, I am ashamed of you. This poor girl here has had just about the most difficult day of her life and you two go and make her cry! Out! OUT!"
"It's okay, Madam Pomfrey please" said Hermione through her tears. "Just five more minutes."
"Well, all right then dear, I know you three have things to talk about BUT- " she whirled around to the two men "IF I hear another sob out of Miss Granger you two are serving DETENTION in the drainage systems for the rest of the week."
After Madam Pomfrey drew the curtains, Draco said, "Sorry Hermione." Harry stared at his shoes and said, "Yeah, sorry about that."
"Oh you two!" she said, as Draco wiped her tears with a corner of his handkerchief.
"Have a chocolate frog?" said Harry, suddenly remembering that he was still holding the bag in his hand.
Hermione took one and gratefully began to chew.
"Congratulations, you two" said Harry finally. He smiled at Draco. "I mean it."
"Thanks" said Draco, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Look, if there's anything, anything at all – .."
"Yeah thanks Potter, I know. Hey, and would you mind not telling? It's kind of top secret. You know- what with my father and all…"
"Of course."
"You can tell Ginny though, she already knows the first bit anyway. She knew I was Helen Greenleaf at the Yule Ball." said Hermione through a mouthful of chocolate.
Harry nodded. "I'm not looking forward to telling Ron though. He might have a fit or something."
Hermione picked up a card that had dropped out of the chocolate frog packet. It was a picture of a serious looking lady with a spindle. She stared back at them with big eyes. The caption read "Lachesis- One of the Three Fates. Together with her sisters Clotho and Atropos, she is responsible for weaving the fates of mankind. As the measurer of the cloth of fate, she has some power to witness events at all points in time."
Why, of course! Why didn't I think of it? Hermione put the card in her pocket.
